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Rugby New York

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Rugby New York, originally known as Rugby United New York and officially nicknamed the Ironworkers, was a professional rugby union team based in New York City that was a member of Major League Rugby (MLR). The team played an exhibition season in spring 2018 and joined MLR for its second full season in 2019.[1][2] The team was founded by James Kennedy.[3]

Rugby New York
Nickname(s)Ironworkers
Roosters (former)
Founded2018; 6 years ago (2018)
Disbanded2023; 1 year ago (2023)
LocationNew York City, New York
Ground(s)Mount Vernon Memorial Field, Mount Vernon, New York (Capacity: 3,900)
ChairmanGuy Bolton
Top scorerDylan Fawsitt (125)
Most triesDylan Fawsitt (25)
League(s)Major League Rugby
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
rugbynewyork.com

During the 2022 season, its first under the Rugby New York name, the team made its only MLR Final appearance, winning a title in front of 1,979 attendees at Red Bull Arena in nearby Harrison, New Jersey.[4]

In December 2023, MLR announced that Rugby New York had withdrawn from the league and had folded, following a failed attempt to sell the team.[5][6]

History

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Rugby United New York was founded in April 2018 by James Kennedy, owner of Murphy Kennedy Group a New York construction management company. In its 2018 exhibition season, RUNY was led by former USA men's national team coach Mike Tolkin, and assistant coaches Bruce McLane (former coach of New York Athletic Club RFC), Andrew Britt, and Vili Vakasisikakala.[1] The team's 2018 spring season consisted of matches against the Ontario Arrows and the Mystic River Rugby Club of Boston.[1] The team played its home matches at Gaelic Park in The Bronx.[7] The team played its first match on March 17, 2018, at Mazzella Field in New Rochelle, New York.[8] New York defeated the Ontario Arrows by a score of 36–19.[8] RUNY played its first match in New York City against Mystic River on March 24 before a sold-out crowd at Gaelic Park.[9] New York defeated Mystic River by a score of 50–0.[9]

Ahead of the 2019 season, RUNY announced that they had retained Mike Tolkin as the team's head coach,[10] signed Kees Lensing as the team's forwards coach,[11] and named James English as general manager.[12] Tiffany Faʻaeʻe was signed as Assistant Coach.

On November 7, 2018, RUNY announced that MCU Park in Brooklyn would be their home field for their first full season.[13]

On April 12, 2021, the club announced that they would begin the season at Cochrane Stadium in Jersey City, NJ. The club would end up splitting their home fields between Cochrane Stadium and Belson Stadium in Queens, NY.[14]

In January 2023, Rugby New York announced that Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, NY would be their home field.[15]

On December 6, 2023, it was announced that the Iron Workers would not compete in the 2024 MLR season.[16]

Broadcasts

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2019 and 2020 home games were shown on SportsNet New York (SNY). Matt McCarthy, John Broker and Steve Lewis were the on air talent.

The 2021 season matches was broadcast on MSG Networks, ending their contract with SNY.

Sponsorship

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During the inaugural season, RUNY signed a partnership deal with Magners Irish Cider,[17] the official drink partner and Bawnmore Irish Beef Jerky[18] as the official snack partner for the 2019 season. They also partnered up with EVF Performance,[19] the team's official gym and Motion PT Group, named the official physical therapy partner for the team.[20]

For the 2021 season, RUNY partnered with Sword Performance, a sports drink hydration company.[21] They also partnered with Mainfreight as their shirt sponsor for the next two seasons.[22]

Season Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2018 Paladin Sports Murphy Kennedy Group
2019 XBlades
2020 Paladin Sports None
2021 Paladin Sports Mainfreight
2022
2023 Paladin Sports Hudson Pro Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Head coaches

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Captains

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Records

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Season standings

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Season Conference Regular season Postseason
Pos Pld W D L F A +/− BP Pts Pld W L F A +/− Result
2019 - 4th 16 11 0 5 411 320 +91 10 54 1 0 1 22 24 -2 Lost Semifinal (San Diego Legion) 22–24
2020[a] Eastern 4th 5 3 0 2 136 131 +5 3 15 - - - - - - Cancelled
2021 Eastern 2nd 16 10 0 6 448 419 +29 13 53 1 0 1 9 10 -1 Lost East Conference Final (Rugby ATL) 9-10
2022 Eastern 3rd 16 11 0 5 433 408 +25 11 56 3 3 0 80 50 +30 Won East Conference Eliminator (Rugby ATL) 26–19
Won East Conference Final (New England Free Jacks) 24–16
Won Major League Rugby final (Seattle Seawolves) 30-15
2023 - 4th 16 8 0 8 442 373 +69 10 43 1 0 1 37 23 -4 Lost East Eliminator (Old Glory DC) 37-33
Totals 69 43 0 26 1,870 1,651 +219 37 178 6 3 3 148 117 +31 4 postseason appearances

Honors

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Major League Rugby
Playoff Appearances Conference Championships Major League Rugby Championships
2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 2022 2022

Head to Head

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Details of the performance of Rugby United New York against Major League Rugby opponents, between the 2019 and 2022 seasons. Table includes all regular season and play-off matches.

Major League Rugby
Opposition Span Played Won Drawn Lost Win% PF PA PD Home Wins Away Wins Notes
San Diego Legion 2019–22 6 3 0 3 50 148 152 -4 1 2
NOLA Gold 2019–22 6 4 0 2 66.67 177 179 -2 2 2
Seattle Seawolves 2019–22 5 3 0 2 60 135 129 +6 2 1
Houston SaberCats 2019–22 5 5 0 0 100 151 57 +94 2 3
Utah Warriors 2019–21 3 2 0 1 66.67 99 72 +28 1 1
Toronto Arrows 2019–22 6 3 0 3 50 138 151 -13 1 2
Austin Gilgronis 2019–20 4 3 0 1 75 104 65 +39 2 1
New England Free Jacks 2020-22 7 3 0 4 42.86 149 172 -23 1 2
Rugby ATL 2020–22 7 5 0 2 71.43 154 158 -4 2 3
Old Glory DC 2021-22 4 4 0 0 100 178 124 +54 2 2
LA Giltinis 2021-22 2 1 0 1 50 18 59 -41 1 0
Dallas Jackals 2022 1 1 0 0 100 41 5 +36 0 1
Glendale Raptors 2019–20 2 1 0 1 50 47 39 +8 1 0
Totals 2019–22 58 38 0 20 65.55 1,539 1,362 +177 18 20

2018 season

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All games in the 2018 season were exhibition games and did not count in the league standings.

Date Opponent Home/Away Venue Location Result
March 17 Ontario Arrows Home Mazzella Field New Rochelle, New York Won, 36–19[23]
March 24 Mystic River Rugby Club Home Gaelic Park Riverdale, Bronx, New York Won, 50–0[24]
March 31 Mystic River Rugby Club Away Mignone Field Allston, Massachusetts Won, 42–24[25]
April 14 Ontario Arrows Away York Lions Stadium Toronto, Ontario Game cancelled due to weather

2019 season

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Exhibitions

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Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result
December 1, 2018 New England Free Jacks Away Union Point Sports Complex Won, 38–35
December 15, 2018 Capital Selects Home Mazzella Field Won, 100–0
January 12, 2019 Toronto Arrows Neutral Buffalo Bills Fieldhouse Cancelled

Regular season

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Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result
January 27 San Diego Legion Away Torero Stadium Won, 25-23
February 16 New Orleans Gold Away Archbishop Shaw Won, 27–24
February 24 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Stadium Lost, 21-33
March 2 Houston SaberCats Away Constellation Field Won, 35-8
March 9 Utah Warriors Away Zions Bank Stadium Won, 47-21
March 15 Toronto Arrows Home MCU Park Won, 24–21
March 24 Glendale Raptors Home MCU Park Won, 31-19
March 30 Austin Elite Away Toyota Field Won, 19-11
April 14 San Diego Legion Home MCU Park Lost, 19–29
April 20 Utah Warriors Home MCU Park Won, 24–22
April 26 Glendale Raptors Away Infinity Park Lost, 16–20
May 5 Houston SaberCats Home MCU Park Won, 21–0
May 12 Seattle Seawolves Home MCU Park Lost, 31–38
May 19 Austin Elite Home MCU Park Won, 27-7
May 26 New Orleans Gold Home MCU Park Won, 24–22
June 2 Toronto Arrows Away Lamport Stadium Lost, 20-22

Post season

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Date Opponent Home/Away Result
June 9 San Diego Legion Away Lost, 22-24

2020 season

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Exhibition

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Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result
January 25 Toronto Arrows Neutral Orchard Park scrimmage no score recorded
February 1 New York Barbarians Home Wagner College Football Stadium Won 77-5

Regular season

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On March 12, 2020, MLR announced the season would go on hiatus immediately for 30 days due to fears surrounding the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic.[26] It was cancelled the following week[27]

Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result
February 8 New England Free Jacks Away Sam Boyd Stadium Lost 14-34
February 15 Austin Gilgronis Home Sam Boyd Stadium Won 49-31
February 23 Rugby ATL Away Lupo Family Field @ Life University Won 22-19
March 1 Houston SaberCats Away Aveva Stadium Won 31-23
March 8 San Diego Legion Away Torero Stadium Lost 20-24
March 14 Seattle Seawolves Home MCU Park Cancelled
March 22 Toronto Arrows Home MCU Park Cancelled
March 29 Old Glory DC Away Cardinal Stadium @ Catholic University Cancelled
April 10 Rugby ATL Home MCU Park Cancelled
April 18 NOLA Gold Away The Gold Mine Cancelled
April 25 Colorado Raptors Home MCU Park Cancelled
May 1 New England Free Jacks Home MCU Park Cancelled
May 9 Old Glory DC Home MCU Park Cancelled
May 16 Utah Warriors Away Zions Bank Stadium Cancelled
May 22 Toronto Arrows Away Lamport Stadium Cancelled
May 30 NOLA Gold Home MCU Park Cancelled

2021 season

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Regular season

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Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result
March 20 San Diego Legion Away James Regional Sports Park Won, 36–29
March 27 New Orleans Gold Away The Gold Mine Lost, 28–51
April 11 Rugby ATL Away Lupo Family Field Won, 27–17
April 18 Old Glory DC Home Cochrane Stadium Won, 38–34
April 25 Toronto Arrows Home Cochrane Stadium Lost, 12–53
May 2 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Stadium Won, 23–21
May 8 LA Giltinis Home Cochrane Stadium Won, 18–16
May 15 Austin Gilgronis Away Bold Stadium Lost, 9–16
May 23 New England Free Jacks Home Cochrane Stadium Won, 29–19
May 30 Old Glory DC Away Segra Field Won, 46–10
June 13 Rugby ATL Home Belson Stadium Won, 31–24
June 19 Utah Warriors Home Cochrane Stadium Lost, 28–29
June 27 Toronto Arrows Away Lupo Family Field Won, 31–24
July 3 New England Free Jacks Away Union Point Sports Complex Lost, 6–22
July 10 Houston SaberCats Home Belson Stadium Won, 54–19
July 17 New Orleans Gold Home Belson Stadium Lost, 32–35

Post-season

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Date Opponent Home/Away Result
July 24 Rugby ATL Away Lupo Family Field Lost, 9-10

2022 season

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Regular season

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Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result
February 12 Houston SaberCats Away Aveva Stadium Won, 10-7
February 19 Rugby ATL Away Silverbacks Park Won, 36-31
February 26 Dallas Jackals Away Choctaw Stadium Won, 41-5
March 6 New England Free Jacks Home John F. Kennedy Stadium Lost, 29-38
March 13 San Diego Legion Home John F. Kennedy Stadium Won, 26-23
March 19 New Orleans Gold Away The Gold Mine Won, 30-19
March 27 Toronto Arrows Home John F. Kennedy Stadium Lost, 10-14
April 3 Old Glory DC Home John F. Kennedy Stadium Won, 35-31
April 10 LA Giltinis Away Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Lost, 43-0
April 24 New England Free Jacks Home John F. Kennedy Stadium Lost, 26-29
May 1 New Orleans Gold Home John F. Kennedy Stadium Won, 36-28
May 8 Toronto Arrows Away York Lions Stadium Won, 41-17
May 15 Seattle Seawolves Home John F. Kennedy Stadium Won, 30-22
May 22 Rugby ATL Home John F. Kennedy Stadium Lost, 3-38
May 29 Old Glory DC Away Segra Field Won, 59-49
June 3 New England Free Jacks Away Veterans Memorial Stadium Won, 21-14

Post-season

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See also: 2022 Major League Rugby playoffs
Round Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result
East Eliminator June 11 Rugby ATL Away Silverbacks Park Won, 26-19
East Conference Finals June 19 New England Free Jacks Away Veterans Memorial Stadium Won, 24-19
MLR Championship June 25 Seattle Seawolves Home Red Bull Arena Won, 30-15

2023 season

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Regular season

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Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result
February 18 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Sports Complex Lost, 11-25
February 26 Toronto Arrows Home Memorial Field Won, 39-3
March 5 Old Glory DC Home Memorial Field Won, 34-8
March 12 NOLA Gold Away Gold Mine on Airline Lost, 31-5
March 19 New England Free Jacks Home Memorial Field Lost, 33-18
April 2 Rugby ATL Home Memorial Field Won, 31-20
April 8 Toronto Arrows Away York Lions Stadium Won, 29-27
April 16 Old Glory DC Away Segra Field Lost, 42-31
April 23 Houston SaberCats Home Memorial Field Lost, 34-27
April 30 New England Free Jacks Away Veterans Memorial Stadium Lost, 8-0
May 7 NOLA Gold Home Memorial Field Won, 54-19
May 14 Chicago Hounds Away SeatGeek Stadium Won, 21-20
May 28 San Diego Legion Away Snapdragon Stadium Lost, 36-13
June 4 Dallas Jackals Home Memorial Field Won, 43-14
June 10 Rugby ATL Away Silverbacks Park Won, 39-24
June 18 Utah Warriors Home Memorial Field Lost, 43-33

Post-season

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Round Date Opponent Home/Away Location Result
East Eliminator June 25 Old Glory DC Home Memorial Field Lost, 37-33

Notes

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  1. ^ 2020 regular season shortened and playoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "MLR announces New York team for 2019". www.usmlr.com. Major League Rugby. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  2. ^ Pengelly, Martin (March 26, 2018). "Firefighters and cops face off as New York's pro rugby team debuts". The Guardian. New York, NY. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  3. ^ Melanson, Jack (March 30, 2018). "Packed house welcomes pro rugby to Gaelic Park". Riverdale Press. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  4. ^ Americas Rugby News. "New York claims first MLR title with win over Seattle". Americas Rugby News. Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  5. ^ "A Statement from Nic Benson, CEO of Major League Rugby". Major League Rugby. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
  6. ^ "Former champions New York out of 2024 MLR season". www.americasrugbynews.com. Americas Rugby News. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  7. ^ Mitchell, Alex (March 19, 2018). "New York's first professional rugby team is coming to the Bronx". Bronx Times-Reporter. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "New York win historic first match over Ontario". Americas Rugby News. March 17, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "New York blank Boston on historic night in the Bronx". Americas Rugby News. March 25, 2018. Retrieved April 16, 2018.
  10. ^ "Tolkin confirmed as New York MLR coach". Americas Rugby News. August 7, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  11. ^ "Rugby United New York Signs Forwards Coach Kees Lensing". www.rugbyunitedny.com. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  12. ^ "Rugby United New York Announces James English as GM". www.rugbyunitedny.com. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
  13. ^ Rugby United NY (2018-11-07), Rugby United New York's Stadium Announcement, retrieved 2018-11-08
  14. ^ "New York's first home games at New Jersey's Cochrane Stadium". americasrugbynews.com. April 12, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  15. ^ "2023 Home Stadium Announced". January 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  16. ^ "Toronto Arrows, Canada's lone entry in Major League Rugby, not playing in 2024". www.sportsnet.ca. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Magners Becomes Official Hard Cider of Rugby United New York".
  18. ^ "Bawnmore Becomes Official Snack Partner of Rugby United New York".
  19. ^ "Evf Performance Becomes Official Gym Partner of Rugby United New York".
  20. ^ "MOTION PT Group Partners with Rugby United New York".
  21. ^ "Sword Performance is a proud sponsor of Rugby United New York".
  22. ^ "Our Partners".
  23. ^ "Rugby United New York defeat Ontario Arrows 36-19 in first MLR match". djcoilrugby. 2018-03-18. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  24. ^ "Rugby United New York hosts Boston Mystic River March 24". djcoilrugby. 2018-03-23. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  25. ^ "Boston Mystic River hosts Rugby United New York in a rematch at Harvard". djcoilrugby. 2018-03-31. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  26. ^ Anonymous, "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY SUSPENDS 2020 SEASON FOR 30 DAYS," www.majorleague.rugby, March 12, 2020 Retrieved March 14, 2020
  27. ^ "Major League Rugby cancels remainder of 2020 campaign". Yahoo! Sports. AFP. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
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